Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-13
QUEER BURIAL RITES.
How Ponca Indians Disposed Of thu
Body of a Chief.Sport and Sorrow.

How Ponca Indians Disposed of the
Body of a Chief-Sport and Sorrow.
Wa-si-ka, head chief of the Ponca In
dams, tribe living in the territory lust
south of here, died recently and was
buried with all the ponp and ceremony
known TO the tribe. His BODY was taken
On blanket from his tepee by his souayy
and three children and placed in a wagon
drawn By two horses, which the widow
guided. This was the Indian hearse.
Behind this followed nearly 500 bucks
and squaws-the former on horseback and
the latter trotting along on foot All the
way to the burying ground the widows
and orphans moaned increasingly.
When the burial ground was reached
the squawS formed circle about 100
yards in circumference around the wagon.
and outside of this circle twelve squaws
were stationed at intervals Of a few feet,
to keep away evil spirits by giving vent
to unearthly screeches. Beyond these
there were about 175 bucks on horseback,
laughing. chatting and trading horses.
After the circle had been formed White
Buffalo, head chief Of the Poncas, came
forward and in the Ponca tongue delivered
ar Grafton on the deceased. At its con-
clusion the mourners, who in the mean
time had kept their seats in the wagon,
picked up the four corners Of the blanket
on which reposed the corpse, and giving it
toss threw the body to the ground. Then
the widow went to the rear of the wagon
and gathered up some ''culls," or refuse
lumber, which She deposited by the side of
her dead spouse.
During this time an Omaha Indian who
had entered the squaw circle kept filing a
saw which he had in his hands. and the
mourners continued their mourning. As
the Omaha brave had finished filing his
saw, he began making receptacle for the
remains out of the culls. This receptacle
was in the form Of chicken coop. being
eight feet long and five feet wide and
about five high, securely fastened to the
ground by posts. Into this the body,
covered with the blanket and other earthly
possessions of the deceased, was laid
A foot race was then announced by the
bucks on the outside of the circle. Four
almost naked Indians were the partici-
pants. Then followed two mile horse
race, in which thereAEere eighteen particf
pants, all of whom ED painted their faces
in a hideous manner. Riding OF the re-
quired distance, the chief then signaled
for the start with a looking glass. At full
speed came the eighteen reckless red riders.
AS they neared the circle the entire body
of 400 Indians set Up a terrific howl and
as the horses came in past them the ex-
element was intense. During the races
the body was entirely disro5ed. There
we've four prizes in each eveut-a jacket,
= p;.c and tobacco bag and two blankets
The winner Of tie first prize was given
his clo.ce Of prizes, the second second
.,.a lie third third choice and the
-r.r-r fourth.
->.,er tGc. horse race the attention of the
-a~e was once more given TO the dead
iLc chicken coop tomb having
a.-~tructed. the body Of Wa-si-ka
a-oEv2 inside and the ends We're
rp 20 Is 10 prevent any animal
t.-,rjng and carrying Off the body
and two calves, the property of
'-.-eased, were also laid in the tomb
= o-,yr that lie might enjoy them in the
.iy hunting ground. This ended the
eo:0ny.-Arkansas City KAN Cor.
N.,.a as City Times.